Manhole closure



. May 24, 11 932 J. P. KEATING LIP/maze? A llomey y J/Pv KEATING 1,859,739

MANHOLE CLOSURE Filed Jan. 14'', 193i 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 f w 7 A; 7 T If I l A r V A fiomey I n venior Patented May 24, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JAMES I. KEATING, OF NEENAH, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO NEENAH FOUNDRY COM- PANY, A COPARTNERSHIP COMPOSED OF E. J. AYLWAR-D AND J. P. KEATING, BOTH OF NEENAH, WISCONSIN MANHOLE CLOSURE Application filed January 14, 1931.

This invention relates to certain structural 1 to become loose and allow it to rock in a noisy manner when a vehicle passes thereover. In fact, lids of this type are sometimes so distorted as to be susceptible of easy displacement, thereby developing a street hazard which must be avoided to eliminate accident.

With the foregoing objections in mind, I have developed a practical and new kind of frame and lid construction wherein the parts co-operate in a feasible manner to cause the lid to fit tightly and snugly to the plate and to avoid lateral and side slippage and consequent rocking.

The specific details selected for carrying this inventive conception into practice, will become readily more apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of an assembly constructed in accordance with the present inventive conception.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the irregular line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a true central vertical sectional view showing the lid separated from the frame in ensemble View.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective View showing the pawl and rack adjusting and retaining means.

The structure comprises two main parts, namely the lid or closure 5 and its supporting frame 6. This lid is of customary c1rcular construction and of appropriate metal of suitable tensile strength. The marginal portion is thickened on the bottom side to pro- Serial No. 508,766.

vide a bevelled shoulder at 7 and extending outwardly from this is a circular seating flange 8.

At circumferentially spaced points and formed integralwith the flange 8 are stabilizing lugs 9 and 10. At its equi-distant point between the lugs 9 and 10 is a V-shaped tooth 11 which functions as a retention pawl.

The frame comprises a casting of the configuration illustrated in the drawings and it includes a base flange or annulus 12 and a ring-llke upstanding run 13. The run is formed on its interlor and near the top with a circular rib 14 forming a seating ledge. That portion of the rim above the ledge is formed at circumferentially spaced points with elongated notches 15 and 16 which constitute keeper seats for the lugs 9 and 10.

fit a point between the keeper seats 15 and 16 and on a substantially diametrically oppo site side, the upstanding parts of the rim are serrated, to provide a toothed rack 17. The teeth define intervening V-shaped pockets for collective reception of the tooth 11. It will be observed in the drawings that the depth i or length of the teeth of the rack is graduated from the left toward the right in Figure 4, thus providing an adjustable means of holding the lid securely in place on the ledge 14.

It is evident that the lugs 9 and 10 are fitted adjustably in the keeper seats 15 and 16 while the retaining tooth or pawl 11 is selectively engaged with the appropriate V- shaped pocket of the so-called rack 17 so that by rotating the disc lid relatively to the" frame, the lug 9 and lug 10 can be bound firmly in place. This prevents horizontal or lateral shifting of the lid with respect to the ledge and consequently prevents wabbling and rocking of the lid in its frame.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawings will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary. While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired;

I claim:

1. In a structure of the class described, in combination, a frame including a circular rim having a seating ledge, a portion of the rim above said ledge being provided with a recess and a lid seatable on said ledge and provided with a toothengageable with-the reoess whereby portions of the lid are pressed againstportions 01 the rim when the tooth is inserted in the recess and rotary movementof the lid'i's prevented.

2. In a structure of the class descr1bed,,1n combination, a frame lncluding a circular rim having a seating ledge a portion 0t the rim above said ledge being provided with a tooth d rack, and a lid seatable on said ledge and provided with a tooth engageable with the teeth of said rack, the teeth of the rack being graduated in size to permit the tooth on the lid to be selectively engaged herewith.

3. In a structure of theclassdescnibed,.in combination, aframe including an upstanding. circular'rim and an inwardly projecting ledge forming rib, that portion of the rim above the ledge being provided with circumierentially' spaced elongated notches constituting keeper seats, and. a serrated portion constituting. a toothed. rack the teeth oftthe rack being graduated in size, and a circular lid engageahle with said ledgeand provided with circumferentially spaced lugs engageahle in said keeper. seats and an: intervening tooth engageable with the teeth of said ra'ck.

4. In a structure of the class described, in combination, a frame including a circular rim having a seating ledge, a portion ofthe' rim above said ledge being provided with a toothed rack, and a lid seatable' on said ledge and provided with a tooth. engageable with the teeth of said rack.

In testimony whereof I aifix m signature.

JAMES P. K ATING; 

